Machine for pressing hose couplings onto hoses

ABSTRACT

Machine for pressing hose couplings onto the ends of pressure hoses, radially from the circumference toward the center, comprising a revolving disk in which pressing tools can be detachably fastened, to be used in succession, and a pressing device opposite to which the tools are brought in turn to perform the pressing. Alternatively, a programming or a manual control device can be used with the machine for controlling the pressing operations. The disk may have a locking device and openings for attaching the tools thereto. The pressing device is preferably built with side plates, the tool in use being pressed against one of the plates. The tools preferably consist of two ring-like elements with radial jaws therebetween, possibly with working jaws that have quick-locking devices for fastening.

The present invention relates to a machine for pressing workpieces in the form of hose couplings onto pressure hoses and the like.

Hose-coupling pressing machines are generally known. However, they have the disadvantage that, when changing from one size of coupling and hose to another, the change of tools is a laborious and time-consuming task. Therefore, if the program of work involves the fastening of varying quantities of different couplings the job will consume unreasonable time, which will of course result in high costs in labour.

The object of the present invention is to provide a novel and efficient machine for pressing hose couplings on to hoses, with which machine it is possible to minimize the costs of secondary time and also otherwise to increase the speed of work, the working range and adjustability of the machine being as comprehensive as possible.

Another object is to bring about a machine whose quality of work is as uniform and dependable as possible, whereby a minimum of trouble would be encountered when using the products.

The objects of the invention are achieved by building a machine in accordance with the following description. An exemplary embodiment according to the invention is made better perceptible in the following description, with simultaneous reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

FIG. 1 presents a machine in accordance with the invention, in front view;

FIG. 2 presents the machine in end view;

FIG. 3 presents a tool head, viewed from one side; and

FIG. 4 is the tool head in front view.

A machine in accordance with the invention and shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 consists of a sturdy frame structure, the upper part of which at least is provided with two thick side plates 1 and 2 which are connected to a base part 3. The side plates are connected to each other by means of one or several horizontal connecting bars 4. In addition, a supporting beam 5 is fitted to connect the side plates at their upper edges and, at the same time, to act as guide for a ram of a pressing device of the machine.

Mounted in base part 3 is a hydraulic driving gear which in itself is of known construction with a requisite motor an oil reservoir and proper devices. The driving gear is not shown in the drawing.

The pressing device of the machine comprises a horizontal hydraulic cylinder 6 which is fastened to side plate 2 and is of such construction that it contains a tubular piston on account of which the centre portion of its cylinder is open, i.e. it has an axial hole. The other end of the cylinder is attached to a push carriage or push plate 7 which by running along a guide on supporting beam 5 guides the ram of the press. The ram consists of a thrust plate 8 which is secured to the push carriage by means of four bars 9 which transmit the pressing force of the cylinder by means of thrust plate 8 further to an actual pressing tool 10.

For the attachment and use of pressing tools 10 the machine is, in accordance with the invention furnished with a revolving disk 11, which is mounted on a horizontal shaft 12, which latter is fitted with bearings into side plates 1 and 2 in such a way that the disk is tangent to, or moves close to side plate 1 on the same side where the tool 10 is, and has the function of a counterpart to the pressing tool during the pressing operation. The disk 11 is provided with openings 13 with an equal pitch and same radius in respect to the centre, into each of which openings it is possible to fasten the tool 10--detachably and most suitably by means of a quick-locking device known in itself--the purpose of which tool is to secure press hose couplings on to a pressure hose by exerting radial pressure.

Side plate 1 is provided with a preferably round opening 14 which is central in respect to the pressing device and through which the couplings and the hose are placed inside the tool, onto which it is to be pressed.

The tools 10 placed into the disk 11 may each be dissimilar in so far as they are intended to be used for fastening hose couplings of different diameters and kinds onto respective hoses. Thus in this exemplified case, up to ten different sizes are feasible because the revolving disk may have room for so many pressing tools.

The basic size of the tools 10 is most suitably the same for all, and consequently, the diameter of the holes in the disk 11 should also be the same.

Additionally versatility is achieved by it being possible to change jaws of different kinds into every tool 10, which means that the setting and programming of the device for a great number of work programs of different kind can be quickly carried out.

According to the invention, the machine is arranged for automatic operation in such a way that, in accordance with a preset program, it causes the disk 11 to turn and bring the then required tool 10 to coincide with the pressing device.

To effect such program, the revolving disk 11 is provided with a mechanical drive by means of which it can be turned--in accordance with a given program--to successive different positions, thus bringing each time the requisite pressing tool 10 in its turn to a working position. For instance, an electric motor can be fitted to drive the disk by means of a gearing. The operation of the motor is goverened in a way known in itself, so that it can be programmed in advance to perform the required successive turns.

The operation of the press part is also arranged for automatic control so that in each position of the disk 11 the required number of pressings are obtained in accordance with a work program.

The disk can also be provided with an electromagnetically functioning locking device 15 which in accordance with the program locks the disk in a stationary, proper position. The locking device may have a projection (25 to be described later) which enters retaining notches or holes 16 in the periphery of the disk 11.

Connected with the programming device is also the control of the press part in such a way that the pressure is adjustable. This is done e.g. by means of a potentiometer to measure the length of the pressure stroke and which is connected electrically with programming.

Connected with the programming device is most suitably an electronic memory, known in itself, in which various programs can be stored.

The setting of the machine's tools 10 is performed in advance so as to correspond to the program to be used, the requisite pressing heads with suitable jaws being then placed in the revolving disk 11.

The pressing tools 10, in accordance with the invention and as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, have two opposite ring-like pressing frames or elements 17 and 18. These are tied to each other with headed bolts 19 which are held fast in one (18) of the frames, while the other frame is able to move parallel to the bolts. Heads 20 of the bolts, however, prevent the frame from coming off.

Both frames 17 and 18 have conical surfaces 21 and 22, which get larger inwardly in opposition. Between the frames is fitted a ring-like group of jaws, which consists of radially placed jaws 23 of a sectoral shape, the rears of the jaws having conical surfaces so as to correspond to surfaces 21 and 22. The jaws rest tangentially on one another through springs 24, with the elastic force of the springs pressing the group of jaws against the conical surfaces 21, 22 of the frames.

Furthermore, one (18) of the two frames is provided with cylindrical projection 25 which fits into the holes or notches 16 in the revolving disk 11. To lock it in these holes, it may also be provided with a quick-locking device. As the frames 17, 18 are brought to press oppositely against each other, the ring of jaws (23) is reduced correspondingly, causing the jaws to exert radial pressure on the coupling workpiece placed between them and thus to squeeze the coupling on to the hose end inserted into it. As the frames are brought to press against each other, the heads 20 of the connecting bolts 19 protrude outside the surface of the other frame 17, and for this reason the thrust plate of the pressing device must be provided with corresponding holes. When pressing is completed and the piston moves back the jaws 23 are opened by the effect of the springs 24, and the ready pressed end of the hose with the coupling can be taken out.

The jaws 23 of the pressing tools 10 can be provided with changeable working jaws 26 which are equipped with quick-locking devices for fastening to the basic jaws 23. The quick-locking device consists of a radial pin 27 which belongs to the working jaw and is provided with a notch 28 or the like. Corresponding to pin 27, the inside surface of the basic jaw has a radial bore 29 into which pin 27 with its jaw can be fastened by means of a radial locking pin 31 which is loaded by a spring 30. The mutual joining surface of the jaws is cylindrical, easy to make and ensures good control.

When using working jaws equipped with quick-locking devices, relatively few basic sizes of pressing heads are required, which in standard settings can remain fastened to the revolving disk and only the working jaws are changed, thus making it possible very quickly to change the settings for varying jobs and so achieve very short setting times.

The machine is also furnished with a switch mechanism, which permits shifting from automatic control to manual control, which is performed e.g. by means of push-button switches. 

We claim:
 1. A machine for pressing hose couplings of a workable material onto ends of pressure hoses radially from the circumference toward the center comprising, two vertically extending end supports connected to each other by at least one horizontal bar, a supporting beam connecting the end supports at their upper edges, a revolving disk attached to one end support and having having adjacent thereto toward the second end support a cam actuated pressing tool, said revolving disk having a plurality of openings for receiving different size pressing tools, said revolving disk being supported on a rotational shaft extending between and attached to the end supports, a pressing means including a thrust plate, push plate and hydraulic cylinder in alignment with the pressing tool and extending through a hole in the second end support, said pressing means slidably connected to said support bar, and a hydraulic driving gear operatively attached to said pressing means, said gear being powered by electricity.
 2. The machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said pressing means is essentially parallel to said rotational shaft.
 3. The machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said disk is provided with an electromagnetically operated locking device having a projection which coacts with notches on the periphery of the rotating disk to prevent rotation.
 4. The machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said pressing tool consists of two ring-like elements arranged to move concentrically in axially opposite dierctions wherein the inside surfaces of said elements are in the shape of guiding cones open in opposition to each other, radial jaws between said elements abutting said guiding cones, said jaws being tangentially tensioned relative to each other by springs enabling said jaws to move in a radial direction when being shifted axially relative to each other.
 5. The machine defined in claim 4 wherein said radial jaws have attached thereto changeable working jaws which are fastened thereto with a quick-locking device consisting of radial pin which attaches to the inside surface of the radial jaws a notch in said pin and a radial bore in a counter surface of said radial jaws in which bore said pin is held by an axial pin loaded with a spring.
 6. The machine as defined in claim 5 wherein mutual joining surfaces of said radial and working jaws have a cylindrical shape. 